2019-2020 City Hall School Report to Partners
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2019-2020 City Hall School Report to Partners Students explore the East Village model at the East Village Experience Centre In partnership with: “I feel more connected to my city and more in the know. I definitely get the process a lot more as well as how the people within the government work and their effect on local citizens.” ~ Grade 5 student Students find hidden murals in Chinatown Exploring the city This year at City Hall School, students have explored downtown from St. Patrick’s Island on the east side to the Beltline murals on the west side. They have investigated community while looking at “Bridge” by Katie Green. Students visualized in the +15 Soundscape at Arts Commons. They have observed old buildings on Stephen Avenue, building construction of Platform Calgary, and how people used the upgraded underpasses. Each class came to City Hall School with a big idea that could be questions or thoughtful quotes. Two years ago, Journalling in the new Central Library there was a focus on public art and last year, classes were interested in sustainability and the natural world. This year, the main themes were being an active and responsible citizen as well as how to think in an innovative way. This year ended with an unexpected change. Due to the pandemic, all schools were closed in the middle of March. This led to many classes missing their chance to come to City Hall School. Fortunately, these classes are able to come during the 2020-2021 school year. How does City Hall School work? City Hall School is a five-day field study that is jointly run by The City of Calgary’s Calgary Neighbourhoods business unit and Campus Calgary/Open Minds. Teachers apply to City Hall School the previous spring. When creating their Students explore the BUMP murals application, teachers think about their “big question” that will encompass their whole school year. City Hall School is not just a week long experience, teachers keep their “big question” alive all year long. Each week is personalized to each class’ question and needs. Mayor Nenshi finds time each week to meet with every class. Each class has the opportunity to meet with their councillor and attend a meeting in the Council Chambers. Students learn from a multitude of experiences, including City of Calgary experts, community experts, community walks, observation, and journalling. The City Hall School classroom is located in the Municipal Building, across the atrium from the Council Chambers. Any Calgary school is welcome -- public, Catholic, independent, charter -- and between grades 3 and 12. Calgary Transit transports each class by bus from their school to the Municipal Building and back. We often use the free fare zone to take the C-train across downtown to explore the west side. City Hall School is a great opportunity that offers a look into the municipal government, how decisions are made, how the city is run, and what everything downtown has to offer its citizens. City Hall School is celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Over 20 year, more than ten thousand students have had the opportunity to Sketch of ᓲᐦᑳᑎᓯᐃᐧᐣ, meaning “sôhkâtisiwin” or learn about the City of Calgary and been able to explore strength/power in Cree, by Kevin Ledo downtown. “My students were able to make the “I like how downtown has connections between ideas, problem solving, many friendly spaces with art to and the services that help people in the city.” look at.” ~ Grade 6 teacher ~ Grade 9 student The new arena was a big topic of discussion this year. Many classes used their time with the mayor and councillor to ask questions around the new arena. Some questions were about when it will be built. Others questioned it being built at all. One class was particularly interested in what will happen to the century- old elm tree during construction. After having these conversations and discussing pros and cons, as well as learning that they did not have all the facts, students left the conversations Journalling on with a new perspective on what the new Stephen Avenue arena will mean for Calgary. “I really appreciated that “I felt grown up everyone in the going to different building actually buildings.” really cared that ~ Grade 6 student there were kids in a classroom there.” ~ Grade 4 student Viewing ‘Museum of the Moon’ by Luke Jerram at Contemporary Calgary One student took his time at City Hall School to be an advocate for people with disabilities. He was inspired to do this after seeing limitations for his father who uses a wheelchair. This student learned that some buildings in Calgary are making changes towards universal accessibilities. Mayor Nenshi shared a story that he has tried to get around the Municipal Building in a wheelchair and found it difficult. This story had the whole class thinking about what the experience would be for a person in a wheelchair every time we walked up or down a ramp during our week. Sketches during an art walk City Hall School Schedule 2019-2020 Week School Grad Ward Focus of Study e Sept. 23-27 West Dalhousie 5-6 4 What does it mean to have an impact? Sept. 30-Oct. 4 Bishop Carroll 10-12 8 Why public art? Oct. 7-10 and 15 West Dalhousie 5-6 4 What does it mean to have an impact? Oct. 21-24 and 28 West Dalhousie 5-6 4 What does it mean to have an impact? Nov. 4-8 West Dalhousie 5-6 4 What does it mean to have an impact? Nov 12-15 and Dec Rundle 5-6 10 How can we be community activists? 12 Nov. 18-22 Apostles of Jesus 6 5 How do we become problem solvers? Nov. 25-29 Senator Patrick Burns 6 4 How can we create and support active responsible citizenship (future leaders and citizens)? Dec. 2-6 Sir Wilfrid Laurier 6 9 How are we connected? Dec. 9-11 and 16-17 Capitol Hill 3-4 7 Whose story are we telling? Jan. 8-9/ March 16- Midnapore 5-6 14 What does it take to build a strong 18 community? Jan. 13-17 Rundle 5-6 10 How can we be community activists? Jan. 20-24 St. Jean Brebeuf 7-9 4 Stretching our minds beyond our comfort zone. Jan. 27-30 and 3 Louis Riel 5 11 What is the legacy we wish to leave? Feb. 4-7 and 10 Louis Riel 5 11 What is the legacy we wish to leave? Feb. 18-21 and 28 Calgary French and 5 6 Standing still is the fastest way of International School moving backwards in a rapidly changing world. Feb. 24-28 Calgary French and 5 6 Standing still is the fastest way of International School moving backwards in a rapidly changing world. March 2-6 Midnapore 5-6 14 What does it take to build a strong community? March 9-13 Midnapore 5-6 14 What does it take to build a strong community? March 30-April 3 St. John XXIII 9 5 What are we responsible for? April 6-9 and 14 Calgary French and 5 6 Standing still is the fastest way of International School moving backwards in a rapidly changing world. April 15-16 and 21- Hillhurst 4-5 7 Why should we care? 23 April 27-May 1 Hillhurst 4-5 7 Why should we care? May 5-8 + 11 Hillhurst 4-5 7 Why should we care? May 12-14 and 19- Alex Munro 3-4 4 How do our individual choices affect 20 the world? May 25-29 Alex Munro 3-4 4 How do our individual choices affect the world? *Bolded information represents the classes that attended City Hall School in person during the 2019-2020 school year. 2019-2020 Statistics 38 City of Calgary 468 experts Students 21 Teachers 7 from Calgary Board of 19 2 Educational Classes Education Assistants 3 from Calgary Catholic Student School District 37 1 Community Teachers 1 Independent experts 10 134 Council Parents/ members plus Volunteers Mayor Nenshi “I never go downtown, but now I want to bring my whole family downtown.” ~ Parent volunteer “This was my first time going to a council meeting.” ~ Parent volunteer Students explore “SAMEWAYBETTER/READER” by Ron Moppett. Thank you to The City of Calgary Thank you to all The City of Calgary staff who shared their expertise with City Hall School. Art and Culture City Clerk’s Office Office of the City Manager Tomas Jonsson Davaa Barbaatar David Duckworth Jo Jacques Calgary Community Civic Innovation YYC Standards Erin Dumenko Office of the Mayor Loren McNeil Franca Gualtieri Corporate Facility Planning Mayor Naheed Nenshi Calgary Emergency & Management Management Agency Gyula Danka Planning & Development John Acheson Michele Bussiere Ellen Campbell Councillors and Staff Robyn Jamieson Councillor Gian-Carlo Carra Kate van Fraassen Calgary Neighbourhoods Councillor George Chahal Samantha Burdett Coucillor Sean Chu Public Engagement Maerge Gebreegzabher Coucillor Jeff Davison Marcia Dupuis Arlas Gillies Councillor Peter Demong Alla Guelber Jaspreet Sandhu Devin Elkin Wendy Sliworsky Councillor Jeromy Farkas Research & Strategy ChiVi Truong Councillor Druh Farrell Kristen Brown Sarah Vanderputten Councillor Ray Jones Councillor Evan Woolley Transportation Planning Calgary Police Service Kimberly Fisher Jessica Wood Customer Service and Jacquelyn Oriold Communications Calgary Roads Daniel Hsu Waste and Recycling Cecile Nadeau Services Henry Wong Environment & Safety Michelle Dias Management Tracey Keegan Calgary Transit Kaitlin Chantler Laura-Leigh Mckenzie Mandeep Dhesi Jaskaran Singh “I learned that Mayor “Anyone can phone 311 if Nenshi works really hard they have a question.” and he worries about people ~ Grade 5 student in Calgary.” ~ Grade 6 student Thank you, Calgary Brookfield Place: Tyler Friesen Eau Claire Market Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids: Tanya Elements Calgary Mental Health Centre: Maira Koshowski Ochitwa, Alicja Swiatlon Calgary Board of Education: Joanne Pitman, Sam Hester Chris Meaden, Sanimar Sarpal, and Christopher Usih.